Switching from concomitant therapy to tafluprost/timolol fixed combination

Abstract

PurposeTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of tafluprost/timolol fixed combination (TTFC).Study designA prospective clinical study.MethodsTwenty-eight patients (28 eyes) with primary open-angle glaucoma, who had used tafluprost and timolol gel for at least 3 months with good adherence, were enrolled. Concomitant administration of tafluprost and timolol was switched to TTFC without a washout period. The intraocular pressure (IOP), blood pressure, pulse rate, and ocular signs were compared between before switching (baseline), and 4 and 8 weeks after switching. A questionnaire survey was also performed 4 weeks after switching to investigate ocular comfort and patient preferences.ResultsThe IOP showed no significant change after switching to TTFC (14.8 ± 2.8, 14.6 ± 3.4, and 14.8 ± 3.7 mmHg at baseline, Week 4, and Week 8, respectively). The pulse rate and systolic blood pressure showed no changes, but diastolic blood pressure was significantly lower at Week 8. At baseline, fluorescein staining revealed corneal abnormalities in 3 patients, which resolved by Week 8 in 1 patient. Hyperemia was noted in 2 patients at baseline, and this also resolved by Week 8 in 1 patient. Three patients discontinued study treatment for the following reasons (1 patient each): blurred vision; ocular irritation, eyelid erythema, and asthenopia; and loss to follow-up from Week 8. The questionnaire survey revealed no significant differences between the 2 treatments, although more patients preferred TTFC.ConclusionAmong 28 patients enrolled, only 2 patients discontinued the study treatment due to adverse reactions. In patients whose adherence was considered relatively good to concomitant therapy, switching to TTFC achieved similar IOP control with good safety and a high level of patient acceptance.

Switching Study of Tafluprost/Timolol Fixed-Combination Ophthalmic Solution, Following Unfixed Combination of Tafluprost Ophthalmic Solution 0.0015% and Timolol Ophthalmic Gel-Forming Solution 0.5%

“…In addition, adherence, ocular surface safety, and the usability of ophthalmic solutions were compared before and after switching. In a prior switching study by Inoue et al, involving switch to TTFC from concomitant use of tafluprost and gel-forming timolol solution, IOP was not changed after switching; [16] although that study design was similar to ours, the results differed. The reason for this difference is currently unclear; however, the prior study was conducted in a single clinic, whereas our study was conducted in multiple university hospitals and major hospitals throughout a particular region.…”

Switching to Brimonidine/Ripasudil Fixed Combination from Brimonidine + Ripasudil

“…We previously conducted a survey of other eye drop combinations when patients switched from two single-agents of the same ingredients to a combination of eye drops. [13][14][15] Overall, 68.0% patients preferred tafluprost/timolol combination eye drops, 13 82.1% preferred latanoprost/timolol combination eye drops, 14 and 54.8% preferred travoprost/timolol combination eye drops. 15 Their primary reason for preferring compounded eye drops was a reduction in the total number of eye drops required.…”